For more detailed information on the research initiatives being conducted at GCHE, we invite you to review the following:

African Americans and Cancer

Summary of an Abstract of a Proposed Project
by Jill Hamilton

African Americans continue to suffer disproportionately from cancer. Their disease is more advanced at the time of diagnosis than that of Caucasians, and they are less likely to receive appropriate and timely cancer treatments. Not surprisingly, they also have a 30% higher cancer mortality rate than Caucasians. In comparison to younger, more educated populations, African Americans are also less likely to have the financial, emotional, and informational support needed to manage their cancer experience. Shorter 5-year survival rates accompanied by more treatment complications and more disabling, co-morbid conditions translate into poor outcomes for African Americans with cancer. Yet, despite their greater needs and limited resources, few studies have examined how African Americans with cancer cope with these challenges. Moreover, little is known about cultural factors that influence coping strategies and their effect on clinical outcomes.

The Stress and Coping Theory has been used to study coping in cancer patients. According to this theory, when an event is perceived as stressful, individuals use emotion- and/or problem-focused coping strategies, such as social support, to affect the stressor or to change their perception of the stressor. Thus, in the face of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, individuals may engage in a variety of coping strategies to manage the threat. Research with Caucasian cancer populations has established a typology of the most effective, high level coping strategies used by this group; similar work in older African American cancer patients remains to be conducted.

RESEARCH CORE PROGRESS REPORT

Grants Awarded

Susan G. Komen Foundation 04/01/04 - 03-31-05
Komen Foundation Atlanta Affiliate 2004 Grants: Breast Cancer Treatment Projects
The goal of this study is to analyze results of maintenance therapy for lymphedema after breast cancer therapy.

Susan G. Komen Foundation 04/01/05 - 03/31/06
Komen Foundation Atlanta Affiliate 2005 Grants: Breast Cancer Treatment Projects
This is a continuation request for the maintenance therapy for lymphedema program.

Pilot Project

Hamilton, J. & Sandelowski, M. "Living the Golden Rule: Reciprocal Exchanges Among African Americans with Cancer." Qualitative Health Research 2003; 13(5), 656-674.

Mondry, T.E. Riffenburgh, R.H., Johnstone, P.A.S., "Prospective Trial of Complete Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Therapy." Cancer J 2004; 42-48.

Hamilton, J. & Sandelowski, M. "Types of Social Support in African American Cancer Patients." Oncology Nursing Forum 2004; 31(4): 792-800.

Meeting Support

Johnstone, P.A.S. (Moderator, Cancer session) 4th Annual Primary Care and Prevention Conference, Atlanta, 25, October 2004.

Publications

Articles:

Heisler MB; Rust G; Patillo R; Dubois AM, Improving Health, Eliminating Disparities: Finding Solutions for Better Health Care for all Populations, published in Ethnicity & Disease, 2005; 15(suppl 2): S2-1-S2-4

Flenaugh, E., Synchronous Lesions In The Airways Of African American Men Diagnosed With Lung Cancer, IX International Meeting on Respiratory Endoscopy, Barcelona, May 2 - 4, 2005

Mbaezue, N., Health Literacy: A New Tool in Diabetes Management, presented at The Fourth Annual Primary Care Conference, Atlanta, GA, October 25-27, 2004 and at the Fourth Hispanic Congress, Puerto-Rico, December 6 - 8, 2004; published in Ethnicity & Disease, 2005; 15 (suppl 2): S2-1 - S2-4

Ashaye-Ogunniyi, MO; Flack, JM; Anderson, DW; Guo, X, The Challenges of Implementing Electronic Medical Records in A Primary Care Setting, presented at The Fourth Annual Morehouse School of Medicine Primary Care and Prevention Conference, Atlanta, GA, October 25 - 27, 2004; published in Ethnicity & Disease, 2005; 15 (suppl 2): S2-1 - S2 - 4

R. Palaniappan, S. Singh, U.P. Singh, S.K. Hollingshead, D.E. Briles, J.C. Paton, E.W. Ades, J.W. Lillard, Jr., 2005. Differential PsaA, PspA, PspC, and Ply Mucosal and Systemic Immunity During Pneumococcal Carriage, published in Infect. Immunity, 73:1006

He Q Moore TT, Eko FO, Lyn D., Anaba GA, Martin A, Singh S, Lillard JW, Stiles JK, Black CM, Igietseme JU. 2005. Molecular Basis for the Potency of Il-10 Deficient Dentritic Cells as a Highly Efficient APC System for Activating TH1 Response, Journal of Immunology, 174:4860-69.

Abstracts:

Jacobson KL, Connolly MJ, Chen AY, Johnstone PA. Health Literacy and Quality of Life in an Inner City Laryngectomy Population, published in J. Clin Oncol 2005, 23:776S (#8191)